Managers at the World Cup will have the option of doing half-time interviews, with Fifa deciding to follow the Premier League in exploring the possibility of providing greater access to television viewers. It is thought unlikely that many teams will take up such offers but managers such as Gareth Southgate could provide half-time insight in Qatar.
The “flash” interviews are not compulsory and have to be mutually agreed by the media rights licensee, such as the BBC or ITV, and the respective teams. Interviews will take place at the beginning or end of the half-time break if the host broadcaster submits a request in advance and the manager or assistant manager agrees to do so.
In August the Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira became the first Premier League manager to take part in a half-time interview, speaking to Sky Sports before the start of the second half of the season’s curtain-raiser with Arsenal.
A change in the league rules in the summer means the UK broadcaster can request to speak to the manager or a member of coaching staff of either team before the game restarts. On Tuesday Amazon Prime interviewed the Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, at half-time during his side’s 1-0 win over Everton.
